Strawberry Cheesecake Chia Pudding (Print version)
Creamy layers of chia, cheesecake, and fresh strawberries make this wholesome treat ideal for any time of day.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chia Pudding Base
01 - 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
02 - 1/2 cup chia seeds
03 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
04 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
05 - 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
→ Cheesecake Layer
06 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
07 - 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
08 - 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
09 - 1/2 tsp lemon zest
→ Strawberry Layer
10 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
11 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
12 - 1 tsp lemon juice
→ Garnish
13 - Sliced strawberries
14 - Crushed graham crackers
15 - Fresh mint leaves
# How To Make It:
01 - Whisk almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla, and sea salt in a medium bowl. Let stand 5 minutes, whisk again to break up clumps. Cover and refrigerate minimum 4 hours or overnight until thickened.
02 - Beat cream cheese, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and lemon zest in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside at room temperature.
03 - Combine diced strawberries, maple syrup, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Lightly mash with fork to release juices while maintaining some texture.
04 - Spoon chilled chia pudding into serving glasses or jars, followed by cheesecake mixture, then strawberry compote. Repeat layers until containers are filled.
05 - Top with sliced strawberries, crushed graham crackers, and fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes like indulgent cheesecake but packs a nutritional punch with omega-3s and protein
- You can prep everything ahead and assemble in minutes when craving hits
02 -
- The chia pudding needs those full four hours to thicken properly, rushing it gives you weirdly thin milk instead of pudding
- Room temperature cream cheese mixes smoothly into the yogurt, while cold cream cheese fights you every step of the way
03 -
- Whisk the chia pudding twice during that initial rest period to prevent any seeds from clumping at the bottom
- Taste your strawberries first and adjust the sweetener based on how naturally sweet they already are